'Ironman was pretty much our banker for the year': Youghal braced for financial blow

Despite the financial loss, businesses in Youghal feel the decision to cancel next year's Ironman in the town is appropriate in the circumstances

The economic hit will be “considerable” when including athletes not visiting months in advance to practice the course. File picture: John Hennessy

Youghal businesses say they are facing a severe drop in revenue next summer following Ironman’s one-year “hiatus” decision in the wake of last August’s double tragedy.

However, local businesses are also keen to stress that the cancellation is appropriate in respect of the lives lost during this year's race’s swim stage—though there are fears the event may not return as promised in 2025.

The cancellation comes as consultants Grant Thornton continue a review of the race in which Canadian Ivan Chittenden, aged 64, and Irishman Brendan Wall, 45, both lost their lives.

Ironman says the pause will “allow for further healing” while it assesses “the best path forward” for 2025 and beyond. It is understood that the ongoing review was one of the reasons behind the US-based Ironman's decision not to proceed with next year's event.

Youghal Business Alliance chairperson Ger Flanagan says his group “fully understands the sensitivity around holding the event in 2024 and we feel the appropriate decision has been made in the circumstances”.

Mr Flanagan said he welcomes Ironman’s and Cork County Council’s stated intentions to recommence the event in 2025.

Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development President Kay Curtin says “there’s a lot of disappointment around town but the main concerns remain with the men who died and their families”.

The economic hit will be “considerable” when including athletes not visiting months in advance to practice the course, Ms Curtin says. “We desperately need a good summer after this year’s washout”, she adds.

The cancellation of Ironman in Youghal comes as consultants Grant Thornton continue a review of the race in which Canadian Ivan Chittenden, aged 64, and Irishman Brendan Wall, 45, both lost their lives. File picture: Howard Crowdy

On a personal level as a florist, she will lose on bouquets bought “for the winners—and for wives and girlfriends for being patient during months of training,” she says.

Deirdre Roberts, proprietor of Youghal Bike Hire & confectionery shop, adjacent to the first transition station at Green Park, says she won’t be erecting the two mini-marquees outside her premises. She won’t be trading from 4am to 10pm or hiring 16 shift staff to cater for almost 4,000 customers daily.

“Ironman is pretty much our banker for the year,” she confides. 

It will be a big loss, but I think cancelling it was the right thing to do.

While looking forward to Ironman’s return in 2025, she fears that somehow that won’t happen either. “We’ll see”, she says. A silent sense of fatalism that it was all too good to last is apparent.

Following the decline of its textiles heyday and full employment, Youghal has gradually rebranded itself as a tourist town. But a lack of investment or sponsorship left a deep yearning for a major, definitive festival.

Ironman filled that void and the town, adopting it more as a cross-community celebration than a race, embraced it with incomparable zest.

Bad weather saw the inaugural year’s swim discipline cancelled in 2019. Covid halted it for two subsequent years and 2022 went well but the heavens re-opened for the final stages. In 2023 tragedy struck. Yet love endures.

Local businesses are  looking forward to Ironman’s return in 2025, but there are fears that somehow that won’t happen either. File picture: Tri Coach Bjorn

Colin Doyle, proprietor of JD’s pub, literally in the shadow of the clock tower, says the cancellation will “hit the local economy quite badly”. He is waving goodbye to what would be at least ‘treble-fold’ takings for the triathlon weekend.

Colin says the cancellation "is a difficult decision, but one only Ironman can make”.

Freda McCarthy of Abbey View guest house on Strand Street already has guests re-booked from last year. “I’m just awaiting the cancellations”, she says “Its a fantastic event and hopefully it will return”.

Martina Hooley, whose nine-year-old granddaughter Evelyn was looking forward to competing again in the Ironkids run, is disappointed.

“There’s a wonderful buzz around Ironman,” she says. “Everything is very family-friendly and inclusive. We’ll miss it, but I understand space is needed too for the families still grieving.”